Crowds cheer as Widodo sworn in

Indonesia's new leader has gone from bamboo shack to palace

Joko Widodo completed a journey from riverside shack to presidential palace on Monday, cheered through the streets following his inauguration by tens of thousands of ordinary Indonesians.

The remarkable scenes were a reminder to the opposition-controlled Parliament of the strong grassroots support that swept him to power.

The 53-year-old must make tough decisions to stand a chance of boosting economic growth in Indonesia, a sprawling nation of 250 million people.

Fears that any reforms the new president tries to enact could be blocked by a hostile opposition led by the Suharto-era general he defeated in July's election have seen the rupiah weaken and stock market fall in recent weeks.

But those thoughts were put aside momentarily on Monday when Widodo and his deputy traveled from the Parliament building to the presidential palace following their inauguration amid an unprecedented street party.

After a few kilometers, he left his car and took a horse and cart, flashing victory signs and shaking countless hands.

"To the fishermen, the workers, the farmers, the merchants, the meatball soup sellers, the hawkers, the drivers, the academics, the laborers, the soldiers, the police, the entrepreneurs and the professionals, I say let us all work hard, together, shoulder to shoulder, because this is a historic moment," Widodo said in his inauguration speech, witnessed by regional leaders and US Secretary of State John Kerry.

Simple demeanor

Widodo, better known by his nickname of Jokowi, was elected with 53 percent of the vote, with most of his support coming from poor, nonurban Indonesians attracted by his simple demeanor and record of hard work as Jakarta governor.

Achmad Sukarsono, a political analyst at the Habibie Center think tank, said, "He has climbed up to the top of the pyramid but he's still weak within the powerful political class."

The son of a furniture maker, Widodo grew up in a rented bamboo shack on the banks of the river Kalianyar in Solo, a town on Java Island. He is the first Indonesian leader not to come from the country's super rich, and often corrupt, political, business and military elite.

Rukasih Wanti, standing under a blue umbrella with her two children as she waited for the president, said: "I was moved by Jokowi's inauguration speech this morning, it was so beautiful. He deserves to get the people's respect and a celebration the likes of which has never happened in the past."

Police estimated that 50,000 people attended the street party. Many more were expected later in the day when Widodo, a heavy metal fan and guitarist, was to attend an open air rock concert headlined by some of the country's biggest bands.

Indonesia is the biggest economy in Southeast Asia, and about 90 percent of its 250 million people are Muslims, more than any other nation.

Outgoing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's two terms in office saw democratic consolidation and a focused fight against Islamist militancy. But economic growth on the back of a commodities boom has slowed, and a recovery is being hampered by weak infrastructure, rampant corruption and red tape.

Widodo is targeting 7 percent growth in the coming years. To get close to that, he will need bold reforms to attract foreign investment, as well as favorable external conditions.

A looming problem is expected hikes next year in what are record-low US interest rates, which could suck funds from the country, pressurizing the rupiah and spooking the markets.

Economists say Widodo must soon make a decision on how much to cut subsidies on fuel that, unless trimmed, will cost the government a budget-busting $30 billion-plus this year.

Reuters - AP

(China Daily 10/21/2014 page11)